The Meaning Behind The Song: Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child by Odetta
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
A long way from home
A long way from home
[Verse 2]
Sometimes I feel like I’m almost done
Sometimes I feel like I’m almost done
Sometimes I feel like I’m almost done
A long way from home
A long way from home
[Verse 3]
True believer
True believer
A long, long way from home
A long, long way from home
Album title: Odetta at Carnegie Hall (1960)
The Song Details:
| Title | Artist | Writer/Composer | Album | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child | Odetta | Traditional | Odetta at Carnegie Hall (1960) | Folk |
Context and Meaning:
There is some painful history behind this Negro Spiritual from the mid 19th century. It’s the cry of a child being sold at a slave auction; being taken from her mother to become the property of another owner.
Credits
Written By Traditional
Songs That Interpolate Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child Like A Motherless Child by Moby
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child Covers
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (feat. Gabi Motuba) by Tumi Mogorosi (Ft. Gabi Motuba), Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child by Tumi Mogorosi (Ft. Andile Yenana & Siya Mthembu) & Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child by Jazmine Sullivan
View Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child samples
Tags
CountryFolk
Interpreting the Song:
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, as performed by Odetta, is a deeply haunting and emotive rendition of a Negro Spiritual. The lyrics convey a sense of longing, loneliness, and displacement. The repeated phrase “Sometimes I feel like a motherless child” reflects the pain and isolation experienced by those who were forcibly separated from their families during the time of slavery.
The historical context of this song is crucial in understanding its meaning. Slavery in America tore families apart, with children often being sold away from their parents and forced to endure unimaginable hardships. The lyrics serve as a poignant reminder of the trauma and suffering endured by enslaved individuals and the enduring longing for connection and belonging.
Listening to this song evokes a profound sense of empathy and sorrow. The sorrowful melody and Odetta’s powerful vocals capture the deep emotional anguish and yearning present in the lyrics. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the deep and lasting impact of separation and loss.
Personally, this song resonates with me on a profound level. While I have not experienced the specific pain of being separated from my parents or sold into slavery, I can relate to the universal feeling of longing for connection and the sense of displacement. As a human being, there are moments in life where we all feel lost, alone, and searching for a sense of belonging.
Listening to Odetta’s rendition of Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child is a cathartic experience. It allows me to tap into the collective pain and resilience of those who have suffered throughout history, including the countless individuals who were victims of slavery. It serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and reckoning with the painful aspects of our shared history, as well as the resilience and strength of the human spirit.
In conclusion, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child is a profound and emotionally charged song that reflects the painful history of slavery and the enduring longing for connection and belonging. Odetta’s rendition captures the raw emotion present in the lyrics, making it a haunting and deeply impactful listening experience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of empathizing with the pain and suffering of others, while also recognizing the resilience and strength of the human spirit.
